Ukhrul: An ambitious multi-crore road project related to improvement of the twin circular roads in Ukhrul district headquarters that promised better conditions of the wretched roadways, is unlikely to fulfill the dream of the denizens.
The state authorities are apparently yet to take any actions to remedy the sorry state of affairs, even as the deadline for the proposed construction works reportedly ended over four months ago, in April, without any concrete executions.
It is learnt that the Longphangs, the zonal bodies of the district, have repeatedly appealled to the state government and the department concerned for expediting the work progress to ensure timely completion of the constructions. “But so far, no response whatsoever regarding our plea, has come forth from their side,” said Dearson Chamroy, chairman, Ato Longphang on Monday.
“This a serious case of betraying the public trust on the part of the construction agencies concerned. We won’t remain silent and allow them to continue this way,” he contended, referring to the lack of progress in the road works.
Divulging that the Longphangs are currently coordinating to work out a means of intervention in the matter, he said that this time around the Longphangs would even take the matter to the level of chief minister for the sake of public justice.
The proposed improvement work which was taken up under Manipur State Plan (MSP) in Phase I and Phase II, and that the works, was given a total time-frame of 24 months, which ended in April this year. The construction was supposed to commence from 19/04/2018.
As per the sanction order, improvement of the Eastern Circular road stretching 3.76 km, is proposed to be executed at a total cost of Rs. 2,30,48,221, while the Western Circular road spanning 2.50 km is to be improved at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,84,20,756.
Sources said that components of the work for Western Circular road included GSB, IRC Grade II, III, and black topping (PC) at a cost of Rs 1,54,85,796, and one each of slab culvert and retaining wall costing Rs. 21,52,246 and Rs. 7,82,714 respectively.
In the case of Eastern Circular road improvement, the components included GSB, IRC Grade II, III, and black topping (PC) to be built at the total cost of Rs. 2,30,84,221.
Earlier in March this year, Longphangs and All Hunphun Tang Association (AHTA) had jointly surveyed the work sites but found no work progress worth noting. During the survey, it was found that only repair of potholes was done at a stretch from Khararphung to St Joseph College area and shingling executed at certain portion at Greenland on the Eastern circular road.
However, since then, no further progress is being made and no trace of work execution could be seen on the Western circular road till date.
